On this episode of Grownlearn, Zorina sits down with Loic Potjes—Executive Coach, former Corporate & Scale-Up CEO, tech investor, and Managing Partner—who’s coached 40+ CEOs across 17 countries. We dig into what actually scales a business: a crisp 80/20 strategy, the right “engine” (your core team), and smart use of AI that goes way beyond meeting notes and automation. Loic breaks down YPO’s value (it’s growth, not “networking”), how psychometrics (Map & Match) surface your real strengths, why many founders should stop “running the machine,” and his three levels of AI—especially Strategic AI, which he uses in 90-minute workshops to unlock new markets, products, and business models without the old-school strategy-consulting price tag. Guest: Loic Potjes — Executive Coach to Scale-Up CEOs, Chairman & investor, regular media contributor, YPO member. Find Loic: DisruptiveLeap.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GrowNLearn, led by Zorina Dimitrova, connects select VCs, Family Offices, and Strategic Investors with precisely matched, high-growth ventures across Europe and the U.S. We also support founders with strategic growth advisory—helping you transform your business model, increase valuation, and prepare for investment or exit. 🎯 No random pitches. No wasted time. Just targeted growth and curated deal flow. 📌 Want Curated Investment Deals? 👉 Book Your Private Briefing: https://grownlearn.org/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🎧 Listen to the GrowNLearn Podcast Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/grownlearn/id1515759956 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1bUIDGbSQl4BlHeNeeJfva Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/grownlearn All platforms: https://grownlearn.onpodium.com/ 📲 Follow Us on Social Media LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grownlearn X (Twitter): https://x.com/grownlearn1729 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@healnlearn_grownlearn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healnlearn_grownlearn/ Success Mindset Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@healnlearn --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 📈 Tools for Investors & Founders Tax Optimization for Real Estate Investors: https://mavencostseg.referralrock.com/l/ZORINA/ FREE LinkedIn Profile Audit: https://ps.linkedvanow.com/r5wgf AI-Powered Lead Generation for Dealmakers: https://ps.linkedvanow.com/tjnia9mrkt85 💬 Ready to connect with investor-ready ventures or expert advisors? Schedule your 1:1 session → https://grownlearn.org/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CHAPTERS 00:01:14-00:01:53: Cold open & who Loic is (DisruptiveLeap) 00:01:53-00:04:52: YPO explained: growth over networking 00:04:52-00:09:35: Coaching CEOs, ADHD, alignment & a global lens 00:09:35-00:12:29: Founder vs operator—hire your complement 00:12:29-00:15:52: Strategy ≠ ideas: 80/20 plan, GTM & the “team engine” 00:15:52-00:17:28: When results show up & decluttering the CEO calendar 00:17:28-00:19:00: Who Loic coaches: $15M–$500M scale-ups, IPO talk 00:19:00-00:20:09: Women-led scale-ups—representation reality 00:20:09-00:21:32: Same coaching bar, different cultures & contexts 00:21:32-00:24:27: Finding “greatness”: Map & Match, purpose, strengths 00:24:27-00:30:22: AI’s 3 levels; Strategic AI; 90-min workshops vs consulting 00:30:22-00:31:15: Prompts = strategy muscle; how to reach Loic 00:31:15-00:31:56: Wrap-up & key takeaways